Well-drilling apparatus



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. WEBBER.

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS.

Patented Feb. 17,1891.

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(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

W. WEBBER.

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS.

No. 446,588. Patented Feb. 17, 1891.

INVENTOR.

WITNESSES.

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' paratus.

.that when the motel-case is let into a well UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

\VESLEY \VlCllllER, OF PITTSBURG, PEXXSYLVAXIA.

WELL-DRILLING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 446,588, dated February17, 1891.

Serial No. 369,183. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern: l Be it known that I, \YESLEY WEBBER, ofPittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in ell-Drilling Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal centralsection of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly invertical section, on the line II II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation, partly in section, showing a modified construction of thelower part of the ap- The construction shown in this fignre is thepreferred construction and is claimed by me specifically herein. Figs. 4and 5 are horizontal cross-sections on the lines IV IV and Y V,respectively, of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the line \I VI ofFig. 3.

Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.

Myinvention relates to an improvement in electrical apparatus fordrilling wells for which I have obtained Letters Patent of the UnitedStates No. 431,131. In that case I claim an apparatus for operating ordrilling deep wells, which consists in an elongated case adapted to helet into the well, and a series of electric motors arranged therein intandem and mechanically connected.

The apparatus forming the subject of this application embodies the sameprinciple and has the motors arranged in tandem; but in.- stead of usingbelt-gearing for connecting the armatures of the several motors Iconnect said armatures directly with a single shaft which extendslongitudinally of the appara-tus.

Another important feature of the invention which I intend to claimherein consists in locating the r ciprocating part of the motor whichoperates the drilling-bit or pumping-rod entirelyontside the case inwhich the motors are contained. The reason for this is under a deepoverlying stratum of water the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the wateris so great that it would seriously impede the operation of a pistonreciprocating from the interior of the case outwardly. I now obvil atethis by rotating the shaft which projects from the end of the case andconverting the rotary to reciprocating motion on the exterior of thecase.

My invention consists in other details,whieh will be shown in thefollowing description:

In the drawings, 9 represents a case, preferably of cylindrical form andof proper size to admit its insertion into the well to be drilled oroperated. \Yithin this case are electric motors, preferably two or more,of which 3 3 are the magnets and i the armature of one motor, and 3 3the magnets and i the armature of another motor. In Fig. 1 I show fourmotors arranged within the case. For the purpose of having the motors ofas small size as possible, I prefer to arrange the magnetslongitudinallywithin the case.

5 6 are the electrical conductors, which are connected with the magnetsin series and which are of sufficient length to extend from the top tothe bottom of the well to be drilled or operated. In the use of theapparatus these conductors are connected to a suitable generator ofelectricity situate at the surface of the ground. The magnets are heldin position in the case 2 bysuitablc supportingplates 7, which areinsulated from the case by insulating material 8. Each armature is lixedto a rotary shaft 9, which rotates in bearings 10 in. the case 2 andextends longitudinally thereof. On said shaft is a gearwheel 11, which,by means of other gearwheels 1'3, constructed as shown in the draw ings,actuates'a cra11k-pin 13, which may be on the last gear-wheel of theseries. This gearing is arranged so as to convert the rapid rotation ofthe armature to a slower rotation suitable to the operation of thedrilling-bit or pumping-rod.

11 is a rod, which connects the crank-pin with a link 15. A red 10passes longitudi nally through an eye at the lower end of the link 15,and is provided with collars 17 and 18, arranged as shown. A sleeve 19is set on the rod 10 within the link 15. A spiral spring 20 isinterposed between the sleeve and the lower end of the link, and aspring 21 is interposed between the collar 17 and the link.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rod 16 passes through a stnl'fingbox 22at the end of the case 2.

When the electric current is supplied by the conductors 5 and 6, therotation of the armatures is communicated by the shaft 9 to to thegearing 12, and by the crank-pin 13 a reciprocating motion is impartedto the rod 14. and link 15, which, acting through the springs 20 and 21,impart a'reciprocating motion to the rod 16. The function of the springsis to prevent the apparatus from acting with shocks or jars which mightotherwise interfere with its work, and if in the act of drilling thecase be nearer the bottom .of the hole than required for the tool tostrike and penetrate the earth-the motion of the' crank-pin after suchengagement and pene tration of the tool will be taken up by com-:pression of the spring. Vhcn the apparatus 7 is to be used for drilling,it is let in the well. by a cable, a suitable drilling-tool having beenattached to the end of the rod 16, so thatf when the case is lowered tothe bottom of the? well the reciprocation of the two shall cut;

away the earth."

During the drilling operation the case 2 may be turned from time to timeto give thei proper action to the drilling-tool, or the same? effectmaybe produced by providing the drilling-tool with suitable appliancesknown to: the art, by which reciprocation produces also rotation on itslongitudinal axis.

Indrilling,

the .apparatus should be drawn from the well from time to time for thepurpose of permitting the insertion of a sand-bail to remove? the debrisor cuttings.

\Vhen the apparatus is used for the purpose of pumping wells, the pumprod or-plungerisi attached to the reciprocating rod 16. In such case itis desirable to place the apparatus in i the well and into the fluid,with the rod 16,

projecting upwardly.

It often happens in the use of drilling-tools; that the bits becomejammed in the well, and'@ to prevent this .1 construct the parts so thatthey shall act witha jarring action. The use of the sleeve 19 makes thispossible, since this sleeve, by engaging the head .18, serves thefunction of a jar, which is made efiective in; the reciprocation of therod 14 by means of the motors.

In Fig. 3 I show thepreferredarrangementl of the case, which is designedto prevent the evil effects of the great upward pressure on the rod 16,which wouldoccur when the case is lowered in a well containing-a largeamount of water.

In thisinstance, instead of having a reciprocating rod 16 project fromthe end of the case,I use ashort rotary shaft'23,w.hich

passes through a stufiing-box 22, andon the inside of the case isconnected by a gearlower part of which is adapted to serve the purposeof a guide. The reciprocating parts of the apparatus are thus exposedand work in the water in the well, so that they do not have to overcomethe immense hydrostatic pressure to which the mechanism of Fig. 1 issubjected. This is a very valuable part of my invention and is claimed,broadly, herein.

The advantages of my invention have already been indicated and will beappreciated by those familiar with the disadvantages attending the useof the drilling and pumping appliances heretofore in use. I

The apparatus is simple in construction, not apt to get out of order,and is easy'to remove from and to place in the well, and at fords agreat saving of mechanical power and in the time necessary to be spentin their use as compared with the use of the heavyand cumbrousdrilling-tools heretofore known in the art.

Many modifications in the form, details,

and general arrangement of the apparatus will suggest themselves to theskil'led'mechanic. v

I claim 1. In apparatus for operating or drilling deep wells, thecombination, with a case adapted to be let into the well, of aseries ofelectric motors arranged therein in tandem, and a common powertransmitting shaft;

which extends longitudinally-of the case and .is fixed to thearmaturesof the motors, whereby motion of the armatures is transmitted directlyto the shaft, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In apparatus for drilling or operating deep wells, the combination ofa case adapted to be let into the well, an electric .motor contained inthe case, a rotary shaft drivenby I to be let into the well, a motorcontained. in

connection and adapted to forma jar, and a spring'acting on the rod andlink, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day ofOctober, A. D. 1890.

WESLEY WEBBER. Witnesses:

THOMAS W. BAKEWELL, H. BI. CORWIN.

